"I’ve had many incredible, “pinch-me” moments as a backup singer for legends such as Marva Whitney, Carly Simon, The Mighty Hannibal, Billy Prince of the Precisions, Willy West, Syl Johnson and more. However, singing behind Charles Bradley and Naomi Shelton were among the most personally meaningful and soulfully enriching moments of my life."

Name: Alba Ponce de León
Birthplace: Guadalajara, MX
IG: @albasmightylions

What woman in your life has been the greatest source of inspiration to you? I am constantly inspired by all the women in my life that are smarter, more fearless, more outspoken, more sure of themselves - my best friends, the womyn of this chorus, Michelle Obama, Frida Kahlo, Chavela Vargas, Lola Beltrán, Rita Moreno, Dolores Huerta, the list GOES ON… But the #1 woman has always been my mom. If I can approximate even a bit of her strength that would be my biggest orgullo.

When do you feel like the strongest version of yourself? When I get the privilege to sing onstage in front of a live audience that is engaging with me, most especially when I sing ‘Cucurrucucú Paloma.’ This song makes me feel connected and rooted in my ancestors and our traditions and it gives me incredible pride to sing and share.

How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women? Honestly, I think they are the ones inspiring ME and keeping ME fighting. Their youth, energy, passion, and undying hope keeps me focused and reminds me I need to make every effort to leave this world better than I entered it.

If you could spend an afternoon with any woman past or present — who would it be and what would you ask them? If I could spend an afternoon with my mom’s mom - my Mamá Socorro - I would, but I would spend it time traveling back to when my mother was young, and I would just want to soak up one day in my grandmother’s life. My abuela never liked speaking about the past, so I would just try to learn by observing. <3 If only…